Storage Merton Health and Safety Policy
Storage Merton is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for employees, contractors, visitors and customers using our storage and removal services. We recognise our duties under relevant health and safety legislation and aim to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related ill health through effective planning, training and supervision.
This policy applies to all operations carried out by Storage Merton, including storage facilities, offices, transport, loading and unloading, and any associated removal activities undertaken on customer premises or third-party locations.
Our Health and Safety Commitments
We will manage health and safety as a core part of our business. Our aims are to:
Identify and control risks arising from our activities, premises and equipment.
Provide and maintain safe systems of work, including for manual handling, lifting and transport operations.
Ensure equipment, vehicles and tools are suitable, properly maintained and used only by competent personnel.
Provide information, instruction, training and supervision to enable employees and contractors to work safely.
Consult with employees on health and safety matters and encourage the reporting of hazards and near-misses.
Keep workplaces, storage areas and access routes in a safe, clean and orderly condition.
Review this policy regularly and revise it where necessary in light of experience, changes in operations or legislation.
Responsibilities
Ultimate responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management. Day-to-day implementation is delegated to appointed managers and supervisors, who must ensure that appropriate arrangements, resources and monitoring are in place.
Managers are responsible for:
Carrying out and reviewing risk assessments for all relevant activities.
Implementing safe systems of work and ensuring they are followed.
Providing suitable training and ensuring employees are competent for their tasks.
Ensuring accidents, incidents and near-misses are reported, recorded and investigated.
Employees and contractors are required to:
Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Follow all safety instructions, procedures and training received.
Use equipment, vehicles and personal protective equipment correctly.
Report hazards, defects, unsafe practices, accidents and near-misses without delay.
Not misuse or interfere with anything provided for health, safety or welfare.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
Storage Merton undertakes risk assessments covering key activities such as lifting and carrying, loading and unloading vehicles, stacking and retrieving stored items, operating handling equipment and driving duties associated with removals.
Based on these assessments, we develop safe systems of work, which may include:
Planning lifts to avoid excessive weights, awkward postures and unnecessary carrying distances.
Using suitable handling aids to reduce manual lifting where reasonably practicable.
Defining maximum stacking heights and safe access methods for storage units.
Specifying safe loading patterns, securing of loads and vehicle movement procedures.
Setting clear rules for working in customers premises, including protecting floors, managing access routes and controlling trip hazards.
Safe systems of work are communicated through training, written instructions and supervision.
Manual Handling and Lifting
Manual handling is a core part of storage and removal activities and is therefore subject to particular control. We will:
Assess typical loads and tasks, including size, weight and frequency of handling.
Avoid high-risk manual handling where reasonably practicable by adjusting workflows or using equipment.
Provide handling aids such as trolleys, dollies and lifting equipment where appropriate.
Train staff in safe lifting techniques, team lifting, load assessment and use of equipment.
Instruct employees not to exceed their personal capabilities and to seek assistance with heavy or awkward items.
Vehicles, Transport and Driving for Work
Where vehicles are used for removals or transport related to storage services, we will:
Ensure vehicles are suitable for their tasks, properly maintained and inspected.
Provide driver training, including safe loading, securing of goods and route planning.
Implement safe procedures for reversing, manoeuvring and parking at sites and customer premises.
Discourage driving while tired and require regular breaks on longer journeys.
Ensure drivers comply with road traffic regulations and company procedures at all times.
Safe Premises and Storage Areas
We will keep our premises and storage areas in a safe condition by:
Maintaining clear access routes, fire exits and emergency escape paths.
Ensuring adequate lighting, ventilation and housekeeping throughout the facilities.
Marking steps, ramps and changes in level where reasonably necessary.
Managing the safe use of ladders and equipment for accessing higher storage levels.
Controlling the storage of hazardous substances where applicable and following relevant safety guidance.
Fire Safety and Emergency Arrangements
Storage Merton maintains appropriate fire safety and emergency arrangements, including:
Fire detection and alarm systems suitable for the premises.
Clearly marked escape routes and fire exit signage.
Provision and maintenance of appropriate fire extinguishers.
Emergency procedures covering evacuation, assembly points and accounting for people.
Induction and refresher information so staff and regular contractors understand what to do in an emergency.
Training, Information and Supervision
All employees receive induction training that covers key health and safety topics relevant to storage and removals, including manual handling, site rules, vehicle safety where applicable and emergency arrangements.
Additional task-specific training is provided where needed, for example for operating handling equipment or driving company vehicles. Training needs are reviewed periodically and when job roles or working methods change.
Supervisors monitor working practices to ensure that safety instructions are followed and that further guidance is provided where necessary.
Accident Reporting and Policy Review
All accidents, incidents and near-misses must be reported promptly so that appropriate first aid, investigation and corrective action can take place. Records are kept in accordance with legal requirements and used to identify trends and improvements.
This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever there are significant changes in our activities, organisation or relevant legislation. Updated versions are communicated to employees and made available to customers and others on request.
By working together, observing this policy and following safe procedures, Storage Merton aims to ensure that all storage and removal activities are carried out with the highest regard for health and safety.
